San Francisco Warrant Records

San Francisco is both a city and a county in California. Warrant records are maintained by the Sheriff's Department and the Superior Court. To check if you have a warrant, visit the Criminal Records Window at 850 Bryant Street between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. You must provide valid photo ID to request a warrant check on yourself. San Francisco does not have an online warrant search portal. All warrant checks must be done in person at the Sheriff's office. Be aware that if you have an active warrant for a non-citable offense, you may be arrested when you check your status.

San Francisco Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff's Department in San Francisco handles warrant checks through the Criminal Records Window known as CRW. The office is at 850 Bryant Street on the fourth floor in Room 460. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You must visit in person to check for a warrant. Staff will not confirm warrants over the phone for security reasons in San Francisco.

To check your warrant status, bring a current photo ID. Tell staff you want a warrant check for yourself. They will search the system and tell you if a warrant exists. The Sheriff's website warns that if you have an active warrant for a non-citable offense, you may be arrested. Citable offenses are minor misdemeanors where you can be released with a court date. Non-citable offenses usually require bail or custody in San Francisco.

For criminal records requests, you can email sfsd.foia@sfgov.org. Include your request details and contact info. The Sheriff's Department also has a phone line for criminal records at (415) 551-0651. This line is for records requests, not warrant checks. You must visit in person for warrant info in San Francisco.

San Francisco Superior Court

The Superior Court in San Francisco is located at 400 McAllister Street. This is the only courthouse for the city and county. The court issues bench warrants when defendants fail to appear for scheduled hearings. Under California Penal Code Section 978.5, the court can issue a warrant if someone does not show up as ordered. This applies to criminal cases, traffic matters, and some civil proceedings in San Francisco.

Arrest warrants come from law enforcement when new charges are filed. A judge reviews the evidence and signs the warrant if probable cause exists. The warrant allows officers to take the person into custody. Both bench warrants and arrest warrants remain active until cleared through the court or served by law enforcement in San Francisco.

To clear a bench warrant, contact the Criminal Division at the courthouse. You can ask about options to resolve the warrant. Some bench warrants allow you to appear voluntarily and post bail. Others may require you to be taken into custody. Bring valid ID when you go to the courthouse. The Criminal Division can give you more info on clearing warrants in San Francisco.

Warrant Types in San Francisco

San Francisco issues bench warrants and arrest warrants. Bench warrants are the most common. They come from failure to appear in court. If you miss a court date, the judge will issue a warrant. This applies to criminal cases, traffic cases, and some civil matters. Bench warrants stay active until you clear them through the court in San Francisco.

Arrest warrants are issued when law enforcement files charges. The judge signs the warrant if there is probable cause. Arrest warrants let officers take a person into custody. These are used for felonies and serious misdemeanors. They remain active until the person is arrested or the warrant is recalled in San Francisco.

Traffic warrants result from failure to appear on traffic citations. Under California Vehicle Code Section 40508, this is a misdemeanor. The court will issue a warrant if you do not show up or pay the fine. Traffic warrants can lead to license suspension and arrest during traffic stops in San Francisco.

Common warrants in San Francisco include:

• Bench warrants for failure to appear
• Traffic warrants for unpaid tickets
• Felony arrest warrants for serious crimes
• Misdemeanor warrants for lesser charges
• Contempt warrants for violating court orders

Clear Warrants in San Francisco

If you have a warrant in San Francisco, take action to clear it. One option is to turn yourself in. Go to the Criminal Records Window at 850 Bryant Street with valid ID. Be aware you may be arrested if the warrant is for a non-citable offense. For citable misdemeanor warrants, you may be released with a court date. Felony warrants usually require bail or a hearing before release in San Francisco.

You can also post bail to clear the warrant. Bail amounts are set by the court based on the charge. Cash bail can be posted at the jail or courthouse. You can also use a bail bond company. The bond fee is typically 10 percent of the total bail. Once bail is posted, the warrant is cleared and you get a court date. Make sure to appear or the warrant will be reissued in San Francisco.

A third option is to appear in court and ask for the warrant to be recalled. Contact the Criminal Division at the courthouse to ask about this process. The judge may recall the warrant if you have a valid reason for missing court. Not all warrants can be recalled. Felony warrants and no-bail warrants usually cannot be cleared this way in San Francisco.

Note: If you have an active warrant for a non-citable offense, you may be arrested when you check your warrant status in San Francisco.

Legal Help in San Francisco

If you need help with a warrant, resources are available. The Self-Help Center at the Superior Court provides free help with court forms and procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice but can guide you through the process. Visit the court website for more info on Self-Help services in San Francisco.

Legal services organizations in San Francisco offer free help to low-income residents. The Bar Association of San Francisco runs a lawyer referral service. You can get a referral to a private attorney who handles criminal cases. Some lawyers offer reduced fees for the first meeting in San Francisco.

The Public Defender's Office represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. If you have been charged with a crime, you may qualify for a public defender. Contact the court for info on eligibility. For general info on criminal law in California, visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site has guides on warrants, court procedures, and your rights under state law.

Related Records in San Francisco

The Sheriff's Department maintains arrest records and jail rosters. Recent arrests may be available through the Sheriff's website or by contacting the Criminal Records unit. The jail roster shows current inmates with charges and bail amounts. If someone was arrested on a warrant, it will show up in the booking records in San Francisco.

Criminal court records are available through the Superior Court. These records include all case filings, hearings, and judgments. To access full case files, visit the courthouse in person. The Clerk's Office can search by name or case number. Fees may apply for copies of documents in San Francisco.

San Francisco City and County

San Francisco is unique in California as a consolidated city-county. There are no separate cities within San Francisco County. All warrant records are handled by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department and Superior Court. The warrant system covers the entire city and county of San Francisco.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near San Francisco. Each has its own warrant system. If you are unsure which county issued a warrant, check each one separately.